As a chronically late person, I feel like I have found my people lol.
Also, I recently had the experience of needing totravel from Porto to visit the U.S. Embassy on São Miguel Island in the Açores (which I will eventually write about) to have a Power of Attorney notarized to sell my home back in the U.S. (The embassy in Lisboa only has notary appointments open twice a month and the earliest one available was two weeks after our scheduled closing date, so we lucked out getting the last appointment available in Ponta Delgada this month, though it cost an unforseen expense of roughly €1,500 out of our meager budget this month to make the trip.)
The kicker was the closing attorney and our Realtor kept insisting I needed to overnight the document—from São Miguel Island to the U.S.—and it was difficult to contain my laughter at those very American notions of urgency. The absolute fastest shipping option, I explained, was 6 to 8 days. They were baffled by this. Surely I was wrong and just needed to explain the urgency of the situation, they suggested. I had to explain to them that the American expectation of urgency doesn't exist in most of the rest of the world and that's actually a good thing and perhaps they should reasses their own expectations that a sheet of paper be able to arrive, overnight, from an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
The closing attorney said the Hague Convention requires a U.S. Embassy notarized Power of Attorney with the original seal and signatures, so it's an international law thing, unfortunately.
The pictures are beautiful!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Mike ?.... can’t recall who your boss was.
Btw, did you hear if the hurricane that So California had, the size of Arizona. It’s been 84 years.... wind gusts up to 70 mph , we lost 7 trees. Let’s hope we won’t have another for 84 years, the re are some things one wants to miss.
Mike Etue, who unfortunately passed away about 9 years ago. Yes, I tracked the storm with interest. Our neighbor lost a beautiful jacaranda tree and our realtor had roof leaks. Sorry to hear about your trees!!!! But hopefully no damage to the house.
Another great post Nancy....the home is absolutely stunning. I can still picture the before in my mind from previous posts, and the after from your current photos. I am not much of a patient person, however, as I get older I am realizing that life is too short, and not to sweat the small stuff. So whether it takes an hour, day, week, or longer. Tomorrow doesn't mean tomorrow, it is just sometime in the future. Yes, I know this sounds easier than I make it out to be, but at least I am going to keep trying because I know my patience will be tested as we too are getting close to the end of our renovation project in VRSA. End of October is what I am being told.....highly doubt it. Add two more months at least LOL.
Interestingly observation about the singular focus of Portugal people. It blends with my “bubble “ theory about this culture, but that’s a whole Substack in and of itself. You have captained a lovely destination, to your beautiful new home, a journey worth sharing. Parabéns, Nancy
There's a lot written these days about how multitasking is bad for your brain, doesn't work, etc. The antidote recommended is to focus on one task at a time. I think our Type A / overachieving / mindlessly urgent US culture could take a lesson from the Portuguese. Slow down. Do one thing. Be present. Really talk to the person you're interacting with. It seems that some of it has rubbed off on you, Nancy.
And of course.... the house looks wonderful. I hope it is a place where you and Denise create great memories for many years to come.
Parabens! ....and the Calma Calma Calma does pay off in the end! Lovely writeup of kudos to the beleaguered customer assistants of the world. And of course the place is stunning! Hope to run into you sometime when we're "down south"!
The house looks fabulous and those custom pieces appear not only chic, but inviting. I'm still in awe of your ability to have tolerated the process of remodeling here and the results show just how worthwhile it was. Thank you for sharing all of the joys and terrors of your home project with us.
As a chronically late person, I feel like I have found my people lol.
Also, I recently had the experience of needing totravel from Porto to visit the U.S. Embassy on São Miguel Island in the Açores (which I will eventually write about) to have a Power of Attorney notarized to sell my home back in the U.S. (The embassy in Lisboa only has notary appointments open twice a month and the earliest one available was two weeks after our scheduled closing date, so we lucked out getting the last appointment available in Ponta Delgada this month, though it cost an unforseen expense of roughly €1,500 out of our meager budget this month to make the trip.)
The kicker was the closing attorney and our Realtor kept insisting I needed to overnight the document—from São Miguel Island to the U.S.—and it was difficult to contain my laughter at those very American notions of urgency. The absolute fastest shipping option, I explained, was 6 to 8 days. They were baffled by this. Surely I was wrong and just needed to explain the urgency of the situation, they suggested. I had to explain to them that the American expectation of urgency doesn't exist in most of the rest of the world and that's actually a good thing and perhaps they should reasses their own expectations that a sheet of paper be able to arrive, overnight, from an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
North American culture is wild.
Have they never heard of DocuSign?
Doesn't seem to be a thing here....
I also had to do a video call with the attorney and hold my photo ID up and answer questions.
The closing attorney said the Hague Convention requires a U.S. Embassy notarized Power of Attorney with the original seal and signatures, so it's an international law thing, unfortunately.
Such a tone of calm and peace in your post. And how awesome to appreciate the art of 'presence' from those you interact with.
The pictures are beautiful!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Mike ?.... can’t recall who your boss was.
Btw, did you hear if the hurricane that So California had, the size of Arizona. It’s been 84 years.... wind gusts up to 70 mph , we lost 7 trees. Let’s hope we won’t have another for 84 years, the re are some things one wants to miss.
Mike Etue, who unfortunately passed away about 9 years ago. Yes, I tracked the storm with interest. Our neighbor lost a beautiful jacaranda tree and our realtor had roof leaks. Sorry to hear about your trees!!!! But hopefully no damage to the house.
Of course, how could I forget Mike Etue! You’re correct in the recollecting what was his intense listening capabilities.
Another great post Nancy....the home is absolutely stunning. I can still picture the before in my mind from previous posts, and the after from your current photos. I am not much of a patient person, however, as I get older I am realizing that life is too short, and not to sweat the small stuff. So whether it takes an hour, day, week, or longer. Tomorrow doesn't mean tomorrow, it is just sometime in the future. Yes, I know this sounds easier than I make it out to be, but at least I am going to keep trying because I know my patience will be tested as we too are getting close to the end of our renovation project in VRSA. End of October is what I am being told.....highly doubt it. Add two more months at least LOL.
We have noticed the quality of presence that most Portuguese have when with or assisting you. It’s a true gift.
Interestingly observation about the singular focus of Portugal people. It blends with my “bubble “ theory about this culture, but that’s a whole Substack in and of itself. You have captained a lovely destination, to your beautiful new home, a journey worth sharing. Parabéns, Nancy
There's a lot written these days about how multitasking is bad for your brain, doesn't work, etc. The antidote recommended is to focus on one task at a time. I think our Type A / overachieving / mindlessly urgent US culture could take a lesson from the Portuguese. Slow down. Do one thing. Be present. Really talk to the person you're interacting with. It seems that some of it has rubbed off on you, Nancy.
And of course.... the house looks wonderful. I hope it is a place where you and Denise create great memories for many years to come.
And now that we have a guest room, you and Mary can stay here on your next visit.
Parabens! ....and the Calma Calma Calma does pay off in the end! Lovely writeup of kudos to the beleaguered customer assistants of the world. And of course the place is stunning! Hope to run into you sometime when we're "down south"!
Wow, the house looks amazing! All the time and frustrations of a renovation have paid off. :-)
The house looks fabulous and those custom pieces appear not only chic, but inviting. I'm still in awe of your ability to have tolerated the process of remodeling here and the results show just how worthwhile it was. Thank you for sharing all of the joys and terrors of your home project with us.
Beautiful! The furniture and the description of the service ethic here. 😊. Glad that you are in!!
Still practising being present...
What a lovely home you two have created! Enjoy!
Your home is beautiful! Thank you for sharing it with us all. Here's to many wonderful memories there in the years to come.
And to your main point, yes the "presentness" is something to which we can all aspire.
Your home is breathtakingly stunning
Wonderful insight and perspective, Nanc. Being present. And thanks for the pictures - your home is wonderful.
What a great tribute to 'being present' thank you for sharing. So happy to know you are in your home and enjoying it. Congrats!